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New York City Window Washing Accident Lawyers

Trust our reputation for success in recovering maximum compensation for your injuries

On any given day, if you look up at the skyscrapers looming large over the borough of Manhattan, odds are that you will glimpse a window washer performing a very hazardous job. Suspended against the glass of a building, window washers work on scaffolding that dangles above busy city sidewalks. Window washing accidents frequently involve scaffold falls. Depending upon the height of the scaffolding, these accidents can result in serious injury or, in some cases, death. The NYC accident attorneys at Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman P.C. in New York City believe that when a workplace accident takes place, the individual or entity responsible for the accident should be held accountable. Our attorneys have a notable reputation for success in recovering damages for accident victims, including obtaining many multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts.

Window washing accidents are protected by New York’s “Scaffold Law”

New York’s labor laws were designed to protect workers from injury at the workplace. These labor laws include the following provisions:

New York Labor Law Section 200: provides that owners and contractors are required to maintain safe workplaces and follow safety guidelines that are designed to protect workers

New York Labor Law Section 240: this provision is commonly known as New York’s “Scaffold Law”. This law provides protection for workers if they suffer injury in a high fall or if they are struck by a falling object and holds property owners and contractors liable for the safety of the following scaffold equipment :

  • Scaffolds
  • Ladders
  • Stays
  • Braces
  • Hoists
  • Hangers
  • Pulleys
  • Slings
  • Ropes
  • Blocks
  • Irons

New York Labor Law Section 241: provides that specific safety precautions must be carried out at the workplace. In addition, work sites are also required to make available specified safety equipment to ensure the safety of workers

Hazards of window washing on scaffolds

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), a division of the United States Department of Labor, some of the common hazards associated with working on scaffolds include the following:

  • Collapse of the scaffolding, due to the scaffold’s instability or overloading the scaffold
  • Elevated falls, due to the lack of adequate fall protection
  • Falling objects, including work materials, tools, and debris
  • Electrocution, as a result of the scaffold’s close proximity to overhead power lines

OSHA safety guidelines for scaffolds

  • OSHA establishes safety guidelines for scaffolds to ensure the safety of workers. Specifically, OSHA safety regulations require the following:
  • All planking is required to be overlapped by a minimum of at least 12 inches
  • Scaffolds must support at least four times the anticipated weight requirement
  • Scaffolds should not be supported by loose objects such as loose brick or barrels
  • Work materials, debris, and tools are not permitted to accumulate on a scaffold
  • Planking is required to extend over end supports by 6 to 18 inches
  • Overhead protection must be provided when an individual is conducting overhead work
  • Shore scaffolds and lean-to scaffolds are prohibited
  • Many window washing accidents could be prevented by strict adherence and implementation of safety precautions for scaffolds.

Understanding workers’ compensation and personal injury claims

If you were injured in a window washing accident, it is important to understand the difference between workers’ compensation claims and personal injury claims. Each state requires that its employers provide employees with a form of workers’ compensation in the event an employee sustains injury while on the job. Workers’ compensation is a benefit that is provided to the employee regardless of who is responsible for the workplace accident. Compensation provided under workers’ compensation insurance is, in most cases, significantly less than what an injured worker may recover by law if they file a personal injury lawsuit. In addition, not all workers’ compensation laws apply to lawsuits that are filed by injured workers. Personal injury lawsuits, however, offer the potential for much higher damage awards. If you or a loved one suffered a window washing accident and are considering filing a personal injury claim to hold the negligent party accountable for your injuries, it is in your best interests to speak with a personal injury attorney with experience in construction accident injuries to discuss your case and advise you on the available options.

Our skilled legal team recovered $8 million for our client’s scaffolding fall

Our client, a construction worker, fell due to defective scaffolding. Three years later, he suffered a lumbar disc hernia, which required several surgical procedures. The skilled legal team at the Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman P.C. proved to a jury that our client’s hernia was a result of the defective scaffolding fall he experienced three years earlier. The jury awarded our client $6 million, which – when legal interest is added – amounts to $8 million recovered for our client.

Personal injury claims must be filed before legal deadline

Every state has legal timeframes for filing claims in the civil court system, known as the statute of limitations. In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the time the accident occurred. If you or a loved one has been injured in a window washing accident and are considering filing a personal injury claim for your injuries, it is important that you heed this deadline. Failure to file your claim within the three year window will result in your case being dismissed. Furthermore, you will lose the opportunity to recover any compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, lost vacation time, lost sick time, and pain and suffering.

Injured in a window washing accident in New York City? Let us help

Serving all five boroughs of New York City, the accomplished personal injury attorneys at Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman P.C. have more than 80 years combined experience advocating for injured victims. Our results-oriented team successfully recovers maximum compensation for accident victims, securing several multimillion dollar verdicts and settlements. All our attorneys work on a contingency basis, so you pay anything until we successfully win your case. To discuss your window washing accident, and your legal options, contact a member of our team at 917-268-2985 or 917-268-6710 or contact us online to arrange for a confidential consultation. We are happy to answer your questions and can meet with you at home or in the hospital if necessary.

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"This law firm has great lawyers!" I had an accident and they got me what I deserved for my injury. They treat you like you are part of their family. If anyone needs a lawyer I will recommend this firm."